Parachute



Dec. 18, 1945. MONKS 2,391,262

PARACHU'IE Filed No v. I5, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 rrlllllilillll'lpllliil n Patented Dec. 18, 1945 STATES; PATENT opp- 5. Y

Frank E. Monks, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Fuller Label & Box Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 15, 1943, Serial No. 510,347 5 Claims. ((21. 244-142) This invention relatesto parachutes and more particularly to a chute peculiarly suitable for use inaerial delivery of goods packed in a container.

The instant application is a continuation in part of my application Serial tember 13, '1943. v A prime dsideratum of. this invention is to 'facilitate safe aerial delivery of goods from an aircraft at very low altitudes and to enable substantially effortless launching of a chute-sup- No. 502,165, filed Sep-.,

.the relative position of chute and receptacle as the two begin to separate;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the chute after blossoming fully;

An important feature in insuring successful deliveryfrom low altitudes resides in so constructing and folding a chute that it may be easily asso- "ciated with a receptacle or container as a mandrel or core and secured thereto in such manner that the two separate substantially instantaneously when'the securingmeans is released. Another important feature in obtaining this end resides in arranging the chute folds so that on separation of a chute and container the chute will blossom substantially instantaneously.

Among other'obje'cts of the invention are to provide a chute which is easily and quickly made from anyof numerous materials of which there is always an abundance, to simplify the chute design and construction so that'it can be provided at extremely lowcost with the use of unskilled labor, and to arrange the folds so that, in addition to accomplishing the hitherto described primary objective, the chute may be readily and quickly assembled about the container in a minimum of time by one unskilled in the usual machinations involved in such procedure.

Fig. 7 is a section along l| of Fig. 6;

. Fig. 8 is a section along 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of a somewhat modified form of chute Fig. 10 is a section along l0l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig; '11 is a section along I ll l of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a section along l2-I2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective of a somewhat modified form of chute, and

Fig. 14 is a'fragmentary perspective of still another modified form of chute.

'While the particular form of container is in n wise important to the instant invention, a description of the manner in which it is associated Among other-objects ofthe invention is to so design the chute that when open it provides a substantial supporting area in proportion to a maximum probable load in the container, thus insuring safety in completing the intended operation.

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with 1 the. drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective of the chute folded about a container; r r

Fig. 2 is atop plan view; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the chute as it beginsto open; 7 g I v Fig. 4 is a perspective of the chute during an early stage of its blossoming action;

', Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating with my improved chute is rather essential to a fullunderstanding of the operation of thechute and the-various advantages attributable to and inherent therein. For that reason the receptacle has'bee'n illustrated in Figs. 1, 2'and 5 and the numeral l0 broadly designates the same. S For purposes of illustration a tubular receptacle has been shown; r

A centrally, apertured plaited parachute is folded or'furled about the container in such manher that when the plaits begin to-unfold' their engagement with the receptacle is immediately freed and all'friction between the two as the receptacle drops from within the folds is eliminated. The parachute has "been indicated broadly by the numeral 16 and its particular construction and manner of-plaiting and folding are of distinct importance in obtaining substantially instantaneous separation of the chute and the'receptacle after the folds of the former are released, and substantially instantaneous blossoming of the chute immediately thereafter.

"Referring momentarily to Fig. 6 of the-drawings will facilitate a clear understanding of the nature of the fold linesdelineating the plaits I8,

which will, be more specifically alluded to hereaftern Inthe' unfolded or operative position illustrated therein it is apparent. that there are successive pairs of reversely folded lines 19. and

2| which, when folded, form the accordion or the latter than the fold line I!) on the other side thereof, and that each more closely spaced pair of fold lines l9, 2| nearly intersects at the margin of the central aperture whereas the next ad- .lacent pairs do not. Thus the peripheral distance between each alternate or second pair of converging fold lines l9, 2| is less than the peripheral distance between each intervening pair of converging fold lines.

In the form illustrated the angle between each successive pair of fold lines l9, 2| is substantially the same and to this is attributable the uniformity of the exposed portions of plaits [8 when the chute is in folded or static form, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The outer marginal spacing ruptured when the static cord is placed under tension, thus freeing the folds of the chute.

Means are provided to assure separation of the receptacle from the chute in the proper direction during the launching operation. In the embodiment illustrated a tape 38 is passed over the top of the receptacle, the ends being extended down over the wall thereof and secured in suitable fashion :to the chute, ;as by adhering to the upper margin of a plait of the folded chute as indicated at 40. v

In launching, after the static line has unreeled fully the weight of the falling device causes the of successive pairs of fold lines and the angles between them should be so proportioned and related to one another that the chute will fold into substantially tubular form. The invention is not, of course, limited to t e exact relationship of spacing and angle illustrated and described, but the specific arrangement obtains extreme accuracy of tubular form -and a geometric symmetry of fold lines and exposed plait walls which is very desirable,

Insofar as this phase of the invention is concerned, it should be noted that alternate fold lines l9 are so angulated and spaced with reference to the fold lines ;2l that when the material is folded and fla-ttened along the fold lines to form plaits 1:8 the fold lines :21 extend substantially parallel to one another, :as may be most clearly seen from Figs. 2-4. When in static condition, an open ended, thin walled, substantially tubular form of pack-iisthusobtained, A tubular pack :of this sort is readily conformed to any elongated :design of container, whether tubular ornot.

The parachute when in static condition, 'lfOld- :ed about the receptacle as .a core with the upper end of the receptacle extending through or aligned with the central aperture :of the chute, may perhaps best be described as constituting a :series of umbrella :pla'its I B, said :plaits being truncated or :cut off somewhat short .of the point where each pair of the more closely spaced adjacent converging fold lines 19 and 2| would normally meet 'to thus provide'rat .a mold capable of lying snugly against the wall of the receptacle but adapted immediately on release .of pressure retaining the same in that position to expand radially outwardly. Such expansion immediately on release of restraining pressure permits the receptacle to :drop freely through the folded :chute even during the period of unfolding and material ly facilitates instantaneous freeing of the receptacle from the chute immediately on release of :such restraining pressure.

Shroud lines 2 2 are secured in any desired manner at spaced poi-n ts around the top of the "receptacle and fastened at their free extremities to spaced points about the parachute periphery, preferably at :fold lines 19. The plaits of the chute are held in folded position about the receptacle by some suitable means such as frangiible rings or tapes 28, which latter serve likewise to position a static cord 3'2having aJfree extremitytfl adapted to be grasped by the person launching the mechanism. Any suitable ,mechanism such :as a section of corrugated fiberboard or metainingrings .28 to rupture. Freed of restraint,

the plaitsrmove outwardly from the receptacle against which they were held and air entering between the walls thereof causes the speed of the chutes descent to slacken as it unfolds, As the chute speed decelerates the container falls downwardly ata relatively constant speed. The rapdity' with which my improved chute blossoms to fully expanded :position is such the the shroud lines :do not become taut against the container load until the chute has reached ill lly expanded position, or substantially so. Thus the device .is provided no opportunity to gain any substantial momentum through ravity acceleration of the loaded container and may be launched :from extremely low altitudes without fear of :mishap. Low-altitude launching materially ifacilitates accuracy in locating the ground target :and this is a very important factor fin successful delivery of the loaded container.

With particular reierence :to Figs. :2, '3 and 4, it will be seen that; after the frangible. means ;or 'retainer rings 528 have been :rupturedito release the folds of the ipla-ited chute, the plants immediately spring outwardly from the packed formation indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 the position illustrated in Figs. :3 and 4. Not .only :do the laits spring .or aunfurl radially zoutwardly, but dining this :movement the walls 401 each plait tend to separate at their base las zclearly indicated at M. Substantially simultaneously the small z'folds '29 .at the truncated top of each plan; straighten out to some extent, aided :in this movement not only by the 'umurling \of' the slower portions of the malts but .by the .air which immediately begins to pass upwardly between the folds of the partially opened .plaits, to thereby expand the diameter of .1311943911- tral opening inathe chute.

This .action releases all friction between the receptacle core and the chute, permitting the :air passing up at :42 between the plait walls to decrease "the speed :of the .chutes descent and permit the container or receptacle to move downwardly from within *the :partially opened plaits. During such relative movement of the receptacle and chute the latter blossoms forth as more air passes upwardly through A2, and blossomin action is complete :or substantially so :before relative descent of the receptacle has reached the limitpermi-ttedbysshroudlinessu.

In .Fig. 5 I have illustrated the aelative :posi tions cfichute and receptacl when :relat-ive movement lbetween the two begins immediately an rupture .of the frangible retainer rings. The importance of strip 38 is apparent, :since it renders impossible relative movement between these two elements other than in the proper direction, ji. 6., movement of the receptacle away from {the .top of the chute. I e

The material is ofii-mportanceuonly insofar as controlled by practioal'con-siderations. The chute.

maybe made from aper, fabric, plastic or any combination thereof. If paper-is used it may be either plane-surfaced or creped in one or both directions. v Such creping tends to absorb any shock of opening. The material used may be coated or impregnated for fungicide and water ".iacent fold lines converging from spaced points around the margin of the chute periphery, such folds-being in opposite directions, The difference in peripheral distances between adjacent pairs of converging fold lines l9, 2| represents the extent to which each plait is exposed, or not overlaid, by an adjacent plait when the chute is in folded or furled position. The outer radial margins'of each plait in the form illustrated, it will be noted, are parallel. As heretofore explained, the plaits are truncated or sliced off at a point somewhat short of the normal meeting point of the more closely spaced converging plait fold lines, thereby assuring expansion of the central aperture of the parachute when the folded chute begins to open.

While; as hitherto explained, the chute may be made of any suitable material, it is perhaps preferable that there be a certain amount of rigidity or stiifness inherent in the material. Such property or characteristic tends to retain the chute plaits in position during successive stages of opening, and the resiliency in each such plait when folded or furled speeds the opening. secluence, particularly at that stage immediately following rupture of the frangible means. Tough paper has been found eminently suitable.

All details of chute construction have been described in'conjunction with the particular form illustrated. Nevertheless it should be fully understood that satisfactory operation may be obtained with an inverted arrangement wherein the folds or plaits l8 are positioned on the inside or, in other words, adjacent the container about which the chute is folded. Where pliable material as disinguished from material possessed of a certain amount of'inherent rigidity, such as paper, is used. the action of a chute so folded is substantially the same as where the folds are on the outside, as in the embodiment shown in detail herein;

Where, however. processed fabric or paper constitutes the material of which the chute' is fabricated, the unfurling action of an inversely folded chute immediately after release of the retaining tapes or rings 28 will be slightly different. .Under these circumstances the flexibility or spring inherent in the folded plaits will cause'the latter to move inwardly against the wall of the container. At'the same time the walls of each plait will spread somewhat, as hitherto explained, and the small folds 20 will expand the opening forming the central aperture of the chute, thus per- 7 mitting, the container to slide downwardly with reference to the chute. Unfurling may not be quite so rapid where the plaits are adjacent the container wall, but the folds will spread against the resistance of the wall and permit air to move upwardly between the plait walls, thereby causing the chute to blossom in precisely the same manner as has hitherto been described.

Completion of the blossoming action may not be quite so rapid with the modified form, but the speed of opening'is quite suflicient for-many" purposes Reinforcing strips 44 are associatedinsome suitable manner along a portion of that part of each plaitfold line exposed to view when the chute is folded. A reinforcing strip 46 is likewise secured around and to the outer margin of the chute. These strips. may be separately secured.

or combined prior to securement to the chute. Regardless of the manner in which the reinforcing .strips' are associated with the chute, a free tab 48 is so associated with either strip 44 or strip 46 as to extend beyond the margin of the periphcry and to each of these one of the shroud lines 22 is secured in some suitable fashion. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6 the reinforcing strip 44 is stitched as indicated at 50 along the fold line when the plait is in folded position, and assumes substantially the form illustrated in Fig. '7 when the fold line is flattened. Marginal reinforcing strip 46 may be-lapped over the margin of the chute and stitched thereto as indicated at 52. The reinforcing strips maybe-of any suitable material, fabrictape'having been found eminently satisfactory even where the chute material is paper. Reinforcing strip '41 may be stitched in similar fashion around the margin of the central aperture of the'chute.

In Figs. 9-12 a somewhat different manner of securing reinforcing strips as hitherto described has been illustrated. A marginal strip 54 is stitched to the margin of the chute. Prior to associating strip 54 with the chute a series of strips or shroud tapes comprising outer and inner reinforcing sections 56 and 58, respectively, are stitched to strip 54. These strips are secured to marginal strip 54 in such manner that a loop 60 extends beyond the margin of the strip. To these loops shroud-lines 22 may be secured.

Adhesive is applied to the inner faces of sections 56 and 58 before stitching so that after the marginal strip 54 is stitched to the base of the chute these sections may be flattened against opposite sides of the chute material and readily adhered thereto. Preferably some type of thermoplastic adhesive is used and very strong adhesion may be obtained by passing a hot iron over sections 56 and 58, which may be regarded as shroud line tapes which also function to reinforce the chute or canopy itself.

A reinforcing strip or'collar 62 may be adhered to the margin of the central aperture of the chute in the same manner as hitherto described in conjunction with shroud tapes 56 and 58. Furthermore, it has been found feasible, and in some ways more satisfactory, to adhere marginal reinforcing tape 54 aroundcthe base of the chute in the manner hitherto described in lieu of the stitching above suggested.

When using relatively stiff materials having inherent in them a certain amount of rigidity, such as paper or fabric reinforced paper, the material may not be sufficiently flexible to billow out into hemispherical shape when fully expanded. While such shape is not essential, more satisfactory Fig. 114". zepnesents: a;,somewhat mmlifiedfomiof I this: concept wherein, shroud tapes: 6.8: are lapped onenthe; fold lines and: stitched; to the: superintposed folds:- along a straight diagonal line extending? from. the: fold line at; an intermediate point; thereom and intersecting: the: bottom edge: of the nlait; walls at; a, point: space-d2 inwardly from E1185 iiold-v line, A. loop; 1:2: may be; formed; at the bottom of each tapes to; winch. a. shroud: line 2-2: is secunecl,

While: eelttainx embodiments of: my invention have been described; herein for illustrative. p111- poses;..vari,ousmodificationszlying' within thesoope ofi therhmad inventive concept will be apparent those skilled in'. the: art; and for that; reason I wish" to1l-imit; myself. only'within the scope of the apnendeditelaimsh What-13:1" elaimis:

1. A-noentra-l'ly apertureet parachute. embodying alternate. malaise 101d lines 81181 1843611 with referonce to. one, another and; converging; from the outer periphery; of. the chute. toward the. margin of the centrali aperture, one set, ofalternate fold lines being angulated andspeeed with: reference to the othersoi that when the: folds, are flattened to form a. series: oi: pla-itsthe fold. lines: of; one: of said: alternate sets; are: substantially parallel to one anathen.

2'. Thearrangementset-forth in claim. I wherein the field lines are; truncatedi short of the nonmalt meeting: point ofithe more closely spaced; convergingiold-tlines;

3.. The: arrangement; set; forth in. claim L wherein the: parachute material possessesi a limited amountof inherentgrigidityz 4., The arrangement setiorth claim 1 wherein theparachutematerialis:paper..

5.. Theaanrangementset forth; in claim 1, wherein reinforcing-strips" are associated with the chute along alternate: fold. lines; and. shroud: lines are secured to the outer extremities of said: reinforcingstrips;

EL. MONKS. 

